By RFIPalled on 24-08-2019Modified on 24-08-2019 at 08:34

While the world is mobilized within the framework of CITES against the extinction of multiple animal and plant species, several voices wonder about the fact that loads of rosewood have been observed recently in Katanga, in the south East of the DRC. Has the exploitation of rosewood resumed with the export license issued by the DRC Ministry of Environment a year ago? The issue is at the center of a controversy between certain structures, politicians and timber operators.

After two years of a truce due to a decision of the cabinet of the former president of the DRC, trucks carrying logs of rosewood are again visible on the road Lubumbashi-Zambia. For the opponent Moïse Katumbi, the exploitation of wood has resumed in the Katanga region and must be stopped: " This is what I saw in Kasenga, we are cutting at least 100 hectares by day. We export, supposedly, redwood. I think it's a plot we're doing ourselves against our own country. We must stop this as soon as possible. "

A " formerly cut " wood

For his part Jean Lwamba, president of the National Association of Wood Harvesters explains that the wood exported since May is the one cut two years ago: " The Ministry of the Environment has authorized that the wood formerly cut two years ago - so the wood that was cut in 2016 and 2017 - is exported. This is what is being exported, it is the old cut wood, there is no new cut . "

The fear of extinction

Environmental experts say they fear extinction of rosewood species. Professor Jean Pierre Ndjbu, Climate Change Observatory: " What is desirable is to stop the activities because we are in what is called the overexploitation of the species. And when you are in an overexploitation of the species the risks of extinction become much more important. For their part, some villagers testify that until then, they have not observed new cut rosewood.

    On the same subject

    Rosewood traffic: the DRC also affected

    Illegal logging in the DRC: Chinese and Congolese loggers are apprehended

    Illegal timber in the DRC: IFCO responds to Global Witness

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